MARY VIRGINIA CROCE

Posted by Marilyn Tagliavia

JustThe Facts

AUBURN, Maine — Mary Virginia Croce, (Sister Mary Catherine of Sienna), 81, of Norway, Maine, died peacefully with family and Sisters of the Resurrection on Wednesday, March 9 at the Hospice House.

She was received into the Dominican Order just prior to her death. She was born in St. Albans on June 19, 1934, the daughter of Charles Clement and Mary Loretta (Wry) Sharrow. Mary Virginia graduated from St. Mary’s High School in St. Albans, class of 1952. She attended the St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Joseph’s College in Maine.

She was a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Conn. in the nursery and worked as an industrial nurse for Peter Paul Cadbury and Hershey’s in Naugatuck, Conn. She married Pasquale T. Croce on July 21, 1956. She was a member of the Sodality of Mary at St. Catherines, a member of the Dominican Laity and was a Eucharistic Minister.

She enjoyed travel, gardening, art, music and kayaking. She loved the outdoors and wildlife. Virginia also enjoyed writing and reading poetry. She is survived by her children, Mary Fish and Robert of Manchester, Conn.; granddaughters, Megan Fish and Kristin Ruano and Ivan; great granddaughters Leigha and Madelynn; Thomas Croce and Vicki of Forest Lake, Minn.; grandson Robert Croce; granddaughter Melissa Poole and Chris and great grandson Dean; her sister Marilyn Livingston and Roger and brother, Christopher Sharrow and Nellie, all of Swanton; many nieces and nephews; and her extended Norway church family. She was predeceased by her husband; sons Jeffrey Croce and Robert Croce; and brothers Nick Sharrow and Jack Sharrow. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.

Memorial contributions can be made to Community of Resurrection, 205 Poplar Ridge Road, Otisfield, ME 04270.